The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced two new rebate programs that benefit Californians who replace water-guzzling lawns and inefficient toilets to conserve water during the State’s historic drought.
The rebate programs are financed by the Proposition 1 water bond that was approved by voters last year. The programs will help carry out Governor Brown’s April 1 Executive Order to further reduce water use in homes by replacing more than 10 million square feet of lawn and upgrading more than 60,000 toilets.
The programs, overseen by DWR, provide a $100 consumer rebate to replace one old toilet per household and up to $2 per square foot for replacing lawns. Consumers can apply for the rebates by visiting SaveOurWaterRebates.com.
With $24 million in Proposition 1 funding, the lawn replacement program will rebate up to $2,000 per household through State or local turf replacement programs. Consumers are eligible to replace grass that is living or dead at the time of the rebate application (bare earth areas with no sign of turf are not eligible). The program will be monitored by DWR and administered by the Electric & Gas Industries Association.
The $6 million toilet rebate program will help Californians replace about 60,000 old toilets with high-efficiency ones.
To learn about the actions the State has taken to manage its water system and cope with the impacts of severe drought, visit Drought.CA.gov. You can also find more ways to conserve at SaveOurWater.com.
Consumers who hire a contractor for a home project such as replacing a lawn should keep in mind that anyone who contracts to perform work in California valued at $500 or more for combined labor and materials costs must have a valid license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB website’s “Consumers” section provides information on finding and hiring the right licensed contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov.
